ATLANTA — A man is behind bars for shooting a dog after it had been captured in one of his traps, according to Gwinnett County Police.
On Wednesday, Nov. 20, officers responded to a home on the 3000 block of Citrus Drive in unincorporated Duluth. An animal trapper had called 911 when the homeowner stated he shot a dog that had been captured in one of his traps. Animal control responded and confirmed that the deceased animal was a Husky.
Richard Beatty Hart, 78, explained to officers that he had shot the dog because it was chasing his cats, police said. He was arrested and charged with aggravated cruelty to animals, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm during the commission of certain felonies and reckless conduct.
Gwinnett animal control officers strongly advise against approaching a trapped domesticated animal. Instead, they recommend calling 911 or the Gwinnett County non-emergency line at 770-513-5700 to ensure the animal is safely removed.
